I want to get an affordable speaker amp like this from SMSL, but they only make ones that have a power brick. I hope they make a more robust unit with an internal PSU seen on some of their other products.
Hello. I am asking you to tell me if the amplifier goes into stand-by if it no longer has an audio signal, or if it receives an audio signal, the amplifier starts. Thank you.
i use it to drive a pair of old Infinity Reference Three's seldom elevate volume above 24, with new Upgraded carbon drivers. With the sub out option you have a perfect 2.1 solution!
from a audio gear perspective, it has a lot of features and sound quality is acceptable. However, from a build quality perspective, it's quite poor. The speaker jack broke after 6 months of use. This quite unusual as I don't move the speaker connectors once it's plugged in and speaker terminals are pretty solid piece of metal. However on examining the broken speaker jack, I found that the metal used is pretty thin. So materials used in this amp is sub par.
i use the SMSL Q5 pro myself, it has a regular sub-out jack. For my NUC7PJYH I use FX AUDIO D802 connected by toslink. The D802 also supports micro usb and coax. Plus sub out
The m50x headphones are pretty easy to drive, so you shouldn't run into problems with most decent interfaces. The micca is a dedicated headphone amp which will easily drive the m50's. The AD18 will work fine as well. Also look at the Topping MX3...I recently got one, and I highly recommend it.
I'm very interested in the arm you're using on your monitor can you tell me who makes that? I have a 30 to win and I don't like it on the little feet it comes with
Great review. Between Topping MX3 and SMSL AD18 to drive my Q Acoustic 3020i which is the best. Also I will like to connect my Android phone to the DAC is this possible?
Thanks man! You should be fine with either the Topping or the SMSL. Both have their own pros and cons, but driving the 3020s should not be an issue. As for using your phone to the DAC, I believe you can only do that with the Topping (and not have any feedback issues). I haven't tried it on either amp though, so I can't officially confirm anything for you.
The MX3 has a better headphone amp (if that's important to you) than the AD18. The only reason I switched from the AD18 was the form factor of the MX3 fit the look of my desktop better than the AD18 (there is a picture on my Instagram where I was able to stack my audio interface on top of the MX3 to save space), but I'd be happy with either product.
thinking to buy one but may i ask you some question before i buy it . i have my own speaker , can normal speaker line be plug into it or i have to get new line ?
The terminals accept normal/raw speaker wires. I'm still using the SMSL AD18 on my secondary desk setup, but I've been using the Topping MX3 for a while now on my primary setup and like it better. Definitely check out the MX3.
@@Myxo14 just ordered it and a b&w m-1 mk2 speakerset :-) A lesson in not endlessly looking for stuff haha. Should be good for pc and i have this Sony bluetooth headphones which can connect too. Lots to play with! Thanks for the input:-)
How are your BX5's with noise? Mine are super noisy when connected to my PC and you can hear squealing noise's with mouse movement. I originally thought it was a motherboard grounding problem so I built a new PC and the noise was worse than the old build. If I connect the BX5's to my an Ipad or phone I have zero issues only when connected to my PC. I've tired 2 different USB Sound cards and now am running from a Optical to RCA converter. I had to turn the volume down half way on the BX5's but the noise is still there if you listen closely.
That's odd behavior from any speaker. Are both speakers creating noise, or just one? The only noise problems I had with mine was after one of the capacitors blew (it sounded like the woofer blew...so not the kind of noise problem you are describing). I replaced the caps which actually improved the sound immensely. Being that you've tried a number of fixes already, I'd try replacing all the speaker cables (USB, rca and power cables). If that doesn't work, my guess is you have a defective speaker.
Hello, great review and great gear! I had been thinking about this set to use over my office desk and you matched almost every gear I am looking for (just the cables I have plains to use a Nordost run I already have). I only would ask you about bass department.. I guess Gallo's Nucleus naturally does not produce so much bass, so do you think this SMSL solution drives them decently? My main propose is play mainstream music (rock, jazz, instrumental, etc) and I expect just a natural/flat reproduction, and definitively do not want bass overkilling my ears. Thanks in advance! Marcelo
Thanks for your comment! I use a Gallo 2.1 Nucleus system for my desk setup and a Gallo 5.1 A'Diva system in my living room. As for the Nucleus, the system I'm using is fairly old (6moons used to have a review up, but I can no longer find it). The system came with a passive subwoofer, which the speakers connect to...so basically, I connect the SMSL to the subwoofer with speaker wire, then I connect the micro speakers to the subwoofer via speaker cable. I keep the subwoofer suspended under my desk (it's hard to explain). I'm hoping to do a new cable management video by the end of the month/beginning of next month, where I show how I wired my audio setup. With all this said, the SMSL will power the Gallos just fine. In fact, I'm now using a Topping MX3 that has less power than the SMSL and it's still fine. I *think* the crossover for the Nucleus system I am using is 120hz (there is no crossover dial on the subwoofer), so you definitely won't be overloaded by bass without a subwoofer (I would recommend pairing Micro's or A'Diva's with a subwoofer). I find both my Gallo systems very flat (which I like). Hope this helps!
@@Myxo14 Yes, you helped a lot.. thank you so much! Do you think Topping has better sonics than SMSL? My only worry is that many SMSL owners says the unid becomes hot after a few hours of use even in low volume/gain. Do you agree? About the speakers do you think Gallo Nucleus improve bass when sat near the wall? I was thinking in both Orb Audio Mod1 and Gallo's Micro TI, the price is similar but I already known Gallo signature. Do you have experience with Orb - may I really consider? My living room has a pair of Reference AV for stereo and it plays both digital and analog source in outstanding clarity and detail. I currently do not have interest to use a sub along with Micro (or perhaps Orb) but I can add in the future. Best! Marcelo
Yes, the SMSL does get hot even at low volume, but so does the Topping. I find the sonics of both units to be comparable. I don't have a sound preference of one over the other, but I don't listen to my music loudly. The Topping has a better headphone amp. I found the Topping to better fit with my current audio equipment (i've a couple pics on my instagram for reference). Both are great speaker amps though. In regards to better bass from a Micro Ti sitting closer to a wall, my initial thoughts are I don't think it would help that much being the cone is so small in the first place, but if you're not looking for a bass heavy experience in the first place, you'll probably be happy with the Micros. I've never heard an Orb, so I can't comment. My favorite part of Gallo speakers is how well they image. Magico are my favorite speakers for imaging, but they cost $10K (a friend of mine had a pair but sold them for Vandersteens)...so I'll stick with my Gallo's for now lol.
@@Myxo14 thanks for your last comments. As you have A'Diva, did you compare them to Micro playing as desktop speakers using the same amplification? Do you think it Worth to pay about 100 dollars to get Diva Ti instead of Micro Ti for use without a sub? Thank you so much! Marcelo
I haven't tested the A'diva on my desktop, but if you're not going to use a sub, I'd get the A'diva because they have a wider frequency response and a bigger driver.
this is an amp, you dont need an amp with speakers that are self powered, they use their own built in amp (which is why they are called active). this is for passive speakers
as i have the worlds most sexy Desktop speakers. (Edifire Lunar eclipse HD in white) I'm getting this amp for them. im using a SMSL Dac for my headphones and i has never let me down. so SMSL it is once again
The FS52's are 130W @ 6ohm speakers. Being that the AD18 is 80W @ 4ohms, the Pioneers would be under powered (Andrew Jones is notorious for making high impedance speakers). It's a tough question cause it all depends how loud you'll be playing your speakers. If you go with the AD18, sound will come out of the speakers; it's just a question of will you be happy with the maximum volume level. Some people like their music really loud, and some don't (like me).
I'm in the same situation, I'm going to be buying the AD18 (replacing an old Pioneer VSX-305 that died, plus it would give me more room on my entertainment stand), the speakers I currently have are the ones for the LG LF-U850 (the speakers are the LFS-U850 which are rated at 160w at 6ohm, SPL 82dB/W (1m) paid $5 for the speakers at goodwill (didn't come with the stereo). Only bought them due to their size (as well as price) as I'm very limited on space. Going to eventually replacing them with something the AD18 can push, as well as a powered sub. I know those LG speakers will be underpowered quite a bit but will work for now.
